“For the dreamers who sat down to tell a story that no one asked them to write.”
– Before and After the Book Deal
I am a dreamer and because you are here, you must be too. That also means you have questions and lots of them. I do not have all of the answers, but I can direct you to a book that does.
BEFORE AND AFTER THE BOOK DEAL by Courtney Maum is the ultimate guide to finishing, publishing, promoting, and surviving your first book. And I would add – every additional book you write.
I’m not going to just tell you this book is awesome and you must order it from your Indie bookstore right now, I’m going to show you how it will answer all your questions. (Show don’t tell!) Let’s take some of the common questions we’ve heard asked at conferences, on social media, and a few I have asked industry professionals.
PART ONE: BEFORE THE BOOK DEAL
Q: I want to write a book. What do I do?
A: In section one, Maum discusses what it takes to become a writer, from making time to write to setting goals. From getting involved in the literary community to dealing with insecurity. And much more. While she doesn’t go into great detail about the actual craft of writing, she does have a small section on developing your voice.
Q: I actually wrote a book! What do I do now?
A: The hard part is done! Okay, sorry to tease you, it’s just beginning. So, what’s the next step? You are going back to school. It’s time to learn about loglines and pitching, how to submit to agents and researching additional opportunities such as contests and magazines. Beware, this section also discusses the dreaded rejection.
Q: I want to make writing my career. How do I do that?
A: Maum talks finances. Not in actual dollar amounts, but in the form of adulting we’ve come to dread: income versus expenses, health insurance, and securing additional income strategies.
Q: OMG! The stress didn’t end when I got an agent. Now we’re submitting to editors. What do I do now?
A: Many of the factors involved in finding the right agent are discussed here, such as how to make sure your manuscript is ready and researching and querying. However, the work doesn’t stop there. When your agent begins submitting to editors, you have to think about the types of publishing houses, your platform, and offers.
Q: Hooray! I sold a book and got an advance. What does that mean?
A: We’ve all heard about signing a contract and getting an advance (if not, that is another reason you need this book) but how do you know if you got a good deal? Talking about money and details of contracts are typically hush-hush in this industry, but it’s something every writer wants and needs to know. The section on advances gives you a peek including the pros and cons of big and small advances. A big advance is not necessarily the best? What?
PART TWO: AFTER THE BOOK DEAL
Q: My book is going to be published! What do I do now?
A: Enjoy it. Announce it (when you’re able) Then get back to work. There are edits, meeting your team, deadlines, blurbs, covers, more edits, publicity, rights and more rights, launches, and oh so much more. What does it all mean? You see a pattern now, don’t you? This book will help you understand.
Q: My book was published. What happens now?
A: It’s time to move from preparing your book for the world to watching it survive out there. It’s exciting and scary. Will people like it? What if they don’t? What does that mean for your future? It could be anything from a disappointment to a bestseller, and each brings a new set of options and opportunities which are too numerous to list here.
Q: Road trip! I’m going on a book tour. What do I do now?
A: When COVID-19 becomes a heartbreaking memory, you may have the opportunity for book tours and interviews. There are in-person and recorded interviews, do-it-yourself tours, group tours, and full on national tours. Who knew there would be so much to coordinate and prepare for? Be prepared, there is also a section on tales of woe.
Q: It’s time for book two. What do I do now?
A: That depends on your contract, but you do have options. Those include everything from writing another book to getting into the academic life. Participating in the writing community or not. As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, if you do choose to write another book, you start this process again.
Did I cover a few of your questions? Do you have more? Well then this is the book for you. And here are a few places you can get it.
Indiebound, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon. And if you want to find out more about the author, you can check out here website here.
